Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew will be rotational third-down back Sunday

Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey shed a little more light on what exactly Maurice Jones-Drew is going to do this Sunday versus the Vikings.
"He'll probably rotate in their on third down," Mularkey said of Jones-Drew. "He'll get a series. He'll be just like we always have had a third-down back, kind of get some reps to give Rashad (Jennings) a blow."
Jones-Drew made his long-awaited return to practice Monday. Mularkey said there is no set number of carries that the team will try to give him, and that while he said Jones-Drew looks like he's game-ready physically, he said he would have a better feel for that after Wednesday's practice.

Fantasy Analysis:

Thus, Jennings looks like a very good start against the Vikings. He'll probably get at least 20 touches.
If you drafted Jones-Drew in the third or fourth round of your draft, congratulations; you ended up with what will be a bargain. Just not this week. Jones-Drew won't be of much fantasy use for a week or two.

I predict a 60/40 split in Jennings favor, if MJD gets any goal line opportunities he could claw out a semi-respectable week 1. 12 carries 50 yds and a TD would be good enough for me.

Posted by:
Mrpuraty 09/03/12 08:12 PM

just going on the record, rashad jennings>MJD no contest (MJD overrated) jennings is built better, excellent/better vision, excellent/more patience, runs smarter, waits for and understands blocking schemes, better receiver out of backfield, excellent burst, excellent cutting ability along with stop/start, wicked stiff arm, ability to beat guys in the 2nd and 3rd level. comparable to fred jackson,
but more skilled in my opinion. anticipated a larger workload this season and put the time and work in.

27 years old (same as MJD) but far less tread on the tires. drafted 7th rd 250th overall by jags, projected as top 10 RB but fell in the draft because he attended Liberty. Played freshman season at pitt (first redshirt freshman to start - ahead of lesean mccoy) transfered to liberty to be closer to his ill father and other family members.

you want a bold prediction??? MJD never regains #1... possible 50/50 split, but jennings will seize the opportunity and hold it down, averaging over 5.0 yds per carry and proving to be a better option at #1. (i also doubt MJD will stay healthy this season) draft position/school is irrelevant when the talent is there... arian foster went undrafted. fred jackson went to coe college.... rashad jennings has all the tools, i stress "all". the vikings d is pretty solid at home, but they'll have their hands full week 1.

rashad jennings and kevin smith - top 10 RBs week 1... flacco a top 10 QB for the season (shades of peyton manning in the preseason w caldwell on board). gabbert top 15 QB (entered last season w/ no OTAs/Minicap, admitted he did not know the offense and was uncomfortable. has the arm, now knows the offense and blackmon is flat out disgusting with velcrow hands) also, darren mcfadden to have a huge season. stay away from MJD, mendenhall and ahmad bradshaw in fantasy... all overrated.